May 27, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Esha Singh shatters world record to win gold at ISSF World Cup in Munich

May 27, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Indian shooter Esha Singh created history at the ISSF World Cup after winning the gold medal in the women’s 25m pistol event with a new world record score on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Indian scored 43 points out of a possible 50 in the final to break the previous world record of 42 held by South Korea’s Kim Ye-ji, according to reports.

Esha delivered a dominant performance in the final, beginning with three flawless sets in which she successfully hit all 15 targets to establish an early lead. She maintained her consistency throughout the contest to clinch both the gold medal and the world record.

Germany’s Doreen Vennekamp secured the silver medal with 38 points, while Bulgaria’s Miroslava Mincheva finished third with 31 points.

In the men’s 10m air rifle event, Indian teenager Parth Rakesh Mane ended seventh in the final after an impressive qualification round.

The Maharashtra shooter registered 633.6 points in qualification to finish third in a strong field featuring 149 competitors.

Cabinet approves Rs 25,530 crore SARTHAK PDS scheme till 2031

May 27, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the continuation of the “Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling-Income with Automation in PDS” (SARTHAK PDS) during the 16th Finance Commission award period with a central outlay of Rs 25,530 crore.

The decision includes revision of norms for central assistance to states and Union Territories for expenditure related to intra-state transportation and handling of foodgrains as well as Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers’ margins. The existing funding pattern for central assistance will continue under the scheme, according to an official statement.

The government said SARTHAK PDS has been designed as an umbrella scheme by integrating two existing programmes – assistance to state agencies for intra-state movement of foodgrains and FPS dealers’ margin under the National Food Security Act, and the SMART PDS scheme focused on technology-driven reforms in the public distribution system.

According to the government, the scheme aims to ensure assured financial support for intra-state movement, handling and FPS dealer margins while creating a unified, citizen-centric and interoperable public distribution system architecture to strengthen food security delivery under the NFSA.

The merged scheme will remain operational till March 31, 2031.

The government also said SARTHAK PDS seeks to modernise and optimise PDS operations through technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Blockchain.

As part of the initiative, the Centre plans to create standardised digital architecture and unified databases for real-time monitoring, AI-based grievance redressal and analytics systems, State Command Control Centres and ISO-certified operational frameworks aimed at improving transparency, security and efficiency in the PDS network.

The Centre said the scheme would support the government’s commitment to ensuring food and nutritional security for nearly 81.35 crore beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act.

Highlighting previous reforms, the government noted that several digitisation initiatives have already been implemented over the past decade, including End-to-End Computerisation of TPDS, Integrated Management of PDS (IM-PDS), and SMART PDS.

Citizen-focused platforms such as Mera Ration, Anna Mitra, Rightful Targeting Dashboard and Anna Sahayata have also been introduced to improve service delivery and transparency.

CM Mohan Charan Majhi says JSW project signals new industrial era for Odisha

May 27, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday said the commencement of JSW Steel’s mega project at Paradip marks the beginning of a new phase in Odisha’s industrial development and reflects growing investor confidence in the state’s industrial policies.

The CM made the statement after laying the foundation stone of the project at Dhinkia in Jagatsinghpur district.

In a post on X, the CM said Odisha has entered a “new golden dawn” in its industrialisation journey due to the government’s industry-friendly policies, administrative transparency, and strong political will.

He described the launch of the project as a landmark development, noting that the project has finally materialised after nearly two decades of waiting.

Apart from the CM, the ceremony was attended by Industries Minister Sampad Swain and Chairman of the JSW Group, Sajjan Jindal.

Majhi said industrial expansion and the generation of local employment opportunities for youth remain among the government’s top priorities. He added that the project demonstrates the trust of global investors in Odisha’s governance and policy framework.

The CM further stated that the timely implementation of the project reflects the efficiency of the “double-engine government”.

Referring to the state government’s “Two-Coast Strategy” and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Purvodaya” vision, Majhi said Paradip is poised to emerge as the principal commercial gateway of eastern India.

He asserted that large-scale investments in the region would help establish Odisha as the “Steel Capital” of the country while strengthening the state’s industrial and economic base.

Highlighting the significance of the investment, the CM said JSW’s integrated steel plant, cement plant, and captive power project would accelerate industrial growth, create employment opportunities, and transform Paradip into a major industrial hub.

Calling for collective participation in the state’s development journey, Majhi urged people to work together towards building a prosperous Odisha by 2036.

Govt unveils Kharif 2026 contingency plan amid weak monsoon forecast

May 27, 2026 by IndiaVerve Staff

Bhubaneswar: Anticipating a below-normal monsoon and possible El Niño impact this year, the Odisha government on Wednesday unveiled a comprehensive preparedness and contingency strategy for the Kharif 2026 season to protect farmers from weather-related risks and minimise crop losses.

Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture, Farmers’ Empowerment & Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo chaired a high-level virtual review meeting with district administrations and directed departments, officials and research institutions to work in close coordination to safeguard agricultural productivity during the upcoming cropping season.

The preparedness plan follows forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has predicted below-normal southwest monsoon rainfall in parts of Odisha along with the possibility of El Niño conditions affecting rainfall patterns.

During the meeting, Singh Deo instructed officials to prioritise timely seed availability and climate-resilient agricultural practices, particularly in vulnerable and rain-deficit regions.

The Odisha State Seeds Corporation (OSSC) has been directed to ensure certified seeds reach farmers by the first week of June, especially in remote districts. Authorities have also been asked to increase the supply of short- and medium-duration varieties of paddy, pulses, oilseeds and millets that are better suited to erratic rainfall conditions.

To minimise risks from delayed monsoon, the government plans to promote crop diversification in upland and rainfed areas. A community nursery approach will also be adopted if monsoon onset is delayed. OSSC has been instructed to maintain reserve seed stocks to address any emergency situation arising from weather disruptions.

The state government has also announced stricter monitoring of fertiliser supply and distribution. Agencies such as MARKFED, Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) and Large Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPCS) will ensure last-mile delivery of fertilisers to farmers.

District collectors have been asked to closely supervise fertiliser distribution, while the government warned of strict action against black marketing, hoarding and illegal diversion of farm inputs. Officials will also promote balanced nutrient management based on Soil Health Cards, alongside water conservation and green manuring practices.

As part of efforts to reduce financial stress on cultivators, officials have been directed to maximise farmer enrolment under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The Odisha government will bear the entire farmer premium share for up to two hectares, with farmers required to pay only a nominal ₹1 validation fee per application.

The government also emphasised completion of the Farmer Registry, which will be mandatory for access to schemes such as PM-KISAN, CM-KISAN, subsidised farm inputs and procurement benefits.

Technical support during the Kharif season will be provided by the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), which will issue real-time, location-specific weather advisories and pest management support.

To improve outreach, crop advisories will be displayed on LED screens at district and state levels, while field officers have been directed to regularly visit villages and conduct awareness campaigns on dry-spell preparedness.

Senior officials, agricultural scientists and district administrators attended the review meeting.

Odisha government assigns recruitment of 7,664 police posts to OUSSSC

May 27, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has assigned the recruitment process for thousands of vacant police and security personnel posts to the Odisha Uniformed Services Staff Selection Commission (OUSSSC) in a move aimed at expediting appointments across multiple categories.

According to an official communication issued by the Home Department, the government has approved the conduct of recruitment examinations for the posts of Civil Constable, Constable (Communication), OISF Constable, and Sub-Inspector (SI), along with equivalent ranks through OUSSSC.

As per the letter issued by the Deputy Secretary to the government, Tarun Kumar Panda, to the OUSSSC secretary, recruitment will be carried out for a total of 7,664 vacancies across different categories.

The vacancies include 4,219 Civil Constable posts, 2,212 OISF Constable posts, 300 Constable (Communication) posts, and 933 posts under SI and equivalent ranks.

The government stated that recruitment for SI and equivalent posts had earlier been entrusted to the Odisha Police Recruitment Board. However, the process could not be completed due to various reasons.

In view of the delay, the government has now decided to transfer the responsibility of conducting the recruitment to OUSSSC. The letter clarified that candidates who had previously applied for the SI recruitment process and were found eligible would be allowed to participate in the fresh recruitment exercise.

The Odisha Police Recruitment Board has also been instructed to hand over applications, records, and all related applicant data to OUSSSC to facilitate early completion of the recruitment process.

The Home Department has requested the commission to take necessary steps for conducting the recruitment process at the earliest.

Supreme Court upholds SIR, says voter list exclusion does not end citizenship

May 27, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) power to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, while making it clear that exclusion from a voter list does not amount to loss of citizenship.

Delivering its verdict on petitions challenging the Election Commission’s voter roll revision exercise in Bihar Assembly constituencies, the top court said the poll body’s role is limited to determining eligibility for inclusion in electoral rolls and does not extend to deciding questions of citizenship.

“The Election Commission’s powers in the SIR exercise are limited to determining eligibility for inclusion in electoral rolls and do not extend to ascertaining citizenship status,” the court observed.

Clarifying the legal implications of exclusion from electoral rolls, the Supreme Court stated: “If a citizen does not appear on electoral roll that does not mean the citizen was unable to prove his citizenship, but shows the inability of the Election Commission to verify citizenship.”

The court emphasised that removal or non-inclusion of a person’s name from electoral rolls cannot automatically be interpreted as loss of citizenship. It added that individuals excluded from voter lists must be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

According to a report by the Bar and Bench, the apex court also issued the direction that the Election Commission shall refer within four weeks the case of persons whose names have been deleted from the 2003 (Bihar) rolls to the compentent authority under the Citizenship Act, 1995 for determination of their citizenshiip claims.

“The competent authority shall take necessary steps in accordance with law and conclude the process before the next Vidhan Sabha or local body elections, whichever is earlier, after giving notice and affording an opportunity of hearing to the concerned individuals. In the event the competent authority holds that such deleted individuals are citizens, their names shall be restored to the electoral rolls,” it said.

The verdict came on petitions alleging that the Election Commission had exceeded its powers by effectively determining citizenship through the voter verification process. Petitioners had challenged the poll body’s order directing a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, arguing that the exercise could lead to arbitrary exclusion of voters.

However, the Supreme Court held that the SIR process serves a “legitimate, constitutionally grounded purpose” aimed at ensuring the accuracy of electoral rolls. “We hold that the impugned exercise was founded upon legitimate, constitutionally grounded purpose, namely restoration of accuracy,” the bench said.

The court further observed that free and fair elections depend not only on polling procedures but also on maintaining accurate voter lists. It ruled that the SIR exercise is consistent with provisions of the Representation of the People Act and derives legitimacy from Article 324 of the Constitution, which empowers the Election Commission to supervise elections.

Importantly, the court said the entire SIR process remains open to judicial scrutiny, making it clear that any wrongful exclusion or arbitrary action can be challenged before appropriate legal forums.

On the issue of documentary proof for voter verification, the court noted that the Election Commission’s prescribed list of 11 documents is indicative rather than exhaustive. It also clarified that Aadhaar can be accepted as an additional document for identity verification purposes.

The judgment came months after the Supreme Court reserved its verdict in January following extensive hearings involving the petitioners and the Election Commission.

Odisha forest officials intensify crackdown on wildlife crimes, illegal fishing

May 27, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Forest and wildlife authorities in Odisha have launched a series of enforcement operations against illegal fishing and wildlife trafficking, leading to multiple arrests and major seizures across different districts.

In one of the operations, staff of the Parikuda Wildlife Section under the Balugaon Wildlife Range apprehended 11 persons for allegedly carrying out illegal fishing inside the Nalban area of the Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife and Chief Wildlife Warden said in a post on X.

According to officials, the accused were caught during patrolling activities inside the protected sanctuary area while using prohibited super dubi nets for fishing operations. The enforcement team seized two mechanised boats, engines, illegal fishing nets, and other related materials from the spot.

Wildlife offence cases have been registered against the accused under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and all 11 persons are being forwarded to court.

In another major crackdown on wildlife crime, officials of the Similipal South Wildlife Division seized a melanistic tiger skin during a raid conducted under the Khunta police station area in Mayurbhanj district.

Three people were arrested in connection with the case, while authorities also seized three motorcycles and two mobile phones during the operation. Officials said the accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, the Nabarangpur Forest Division also carried out a joint operation in the Simanta Malbeda Protected Forest area and seized a leopard skin measuring nearly six feet.

Two alleged wildlife smugglers from the Koraput district were arrested during the operation and later forwarded to court. Forest officials said further investigation is underway to determine whether the accused are linked to a larger wildlife trafficking network operating in the region.

PM Modi urges citizens to stay alert as heatwave grips several parts of India

May 27, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: As several regions across India continue to experience intense heatwave conditions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to citizens to remain cautious and take preventive measures to protect themselves and others from the rising temperatures.

The PM stressed the importance of staying hydrated during the ongoing heat spell and encouraged people to carry water while stepping outdoors. He also urged citizens to support one another by offering drinking water to those in need, according to an official statement.

Highlighting the health risks associated with extreme heat, Modi advised people to stay alert to symptoms of heat exhaustion, including dizziness, nausea, and severe fatigue. He said anyone feeling weak or unwell, or suffering from headaches, should be moved immediately to a cool, shaded area and provided with water and ORS.

In a series of posts on X, the PM also cautioned that children, senior citizens, and outdoor workers remain particularly vulnerable during periods of excessive heat and warned that neglecting early symptoms could lead to heatstroke.

He further urged people to regularly check on elderly family members and loved ones during the heatwave, advising them to avoid outdoor movement during peak afternoon hours, remain hydrated, and take sufficient rest.

Calling for compassion during the harsh weather conditions, Modi also appealed to citizens to place bowls of water outside homes, balconies, terraces, shops, and offices for birds and animals affected by the heat.

“Different parts of India are witnessing soaring temperatures and the challenges that come with it. This heat is harsh on all of us, and I urge you all to take as many precautions as possible. Please stay hydrated, and keep water with you when stepping out. Offer a glass of water to others. In weather like this, such kindness goes a long way,” he said.

“Watch for signs of heat exhaustion like dizziness, nausea, or extreme fatigue. If someone around you feels unusually unwell, weak, or develops a headache, it is best to help move them to a cool and shaded place immediately. Ensure they get water, ORS, etc. that helps them. Children, the elderly, and those working outdoors are especially vulnerable during extreme heat. Ignoring these warning signs can quickly turn dangerous and may even lead to heatstroke. In such weather, timely care and attention go a long way,” he added.

India rejects China-Pakistan joint statement on Jammu & Kashmir, opposes CPEC

May 27, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: India has strongly rejected references to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in a joint statement issued by China and Pakistan, asserting that the region remains an integral and inalienable part of the country.

In response to media queries, the External Affairs Ministry said that India “categorically rejects unwarranted references” to Jammu & Kashmir in the statement, reiterating that India’s position on the matter is “consistent and well known.”

Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal underlined that the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh “have been, are and will always remain” an integral part of India, adding that no other country has the locus standi to comment on them.

India issued a strong rebuttal after China and Pakistan mentioned developments in Jammu and Kashmir in a joint statement released following Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing from May 23 to 26.

India also opposed references linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), stating that some of the projects fall within India’s sovereign territory.

The statement said India “resolutely opposes and rejects” any attempt by other countries to legitimise Pakistan’s “illegal and forcible occupation” of these areas, adding that the position has been repeatedly conveyed to both Pakistani and Chinese authorities.

On references to “trans-boundary water resources cooperation” between China and Pakistan, India said the two countries do not share a boundary, and therefore, such cooperation does not arise. It also reiterated that India has never recognised the 1963 boundary agreement between Pakistan and China.

Sindhu leads India with straight-sets win at Singapore Open 2026

May 27, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has set the tone for India’s campaign at the Singapore Badminton Open 2026 with a composed straight-games victory, even as several of her compatriots endured early exits on Tuesday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Sindhu produced a 21-17, 21-18 win over Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani, a World Championships bronze medallist, in a tightly contested women’s singles clash. After recovering from a mid-game deficit in the opening game, Sindhu finished strongly in both sets, holding her nerve in the closing stages to seal the match in just under an hour, according to olympics.com.

Elsewhere, India’s men’s singles challenge took an early hit as Ayush Shetty bowed out in the first round after a three-game defeat to Canada’s Victor Lai. The world No. 20 started confidently and even led early in the match, but could not sustain the momentum as the World Championships medallist fought back to win 11-21, 21-14, 21-12.

In women’s singles, Unnati Hooda also exited early after a straight-games loss to Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki, going down 21-14, 21-10 against the eighth seed.

India had better fortunes in men’s doubles as fourth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty staged a comeback win against the American pair of Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith. After dropping a tight opening game 26-28, the Indians regrouped strongly to take the next two games 21-15, 21-13 and advance to the second round.

However, MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan could not progress, losing 21-15, 21-13 to Japan’s seventh seeds Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi.

In women’s doubles, both Indian pairs exited in the opening round. Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi fought back after losing the opener but eventually went down 18-21, 21-13, 21-5 to Spain’s Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez. Ashwini Bhat K and Shikha Gautam were defeated 21-16, 21-11 by Chinese Taipei’s Chang Ching-hui and Yang Ching-Tun.

India also suffered an early setback in mixed doubles, where Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde lost a close contest 21-18, 22-20 against the same Chinese Taipei pair.

India’s remaining singles hopes, including Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, and Malvika Bansod, are scheduled to begin their campaigns on Wednesday.